Chalk-line holder.



J. E. GIFFIN. CHALK LINE HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1910.

997,803. Patented July 11,1911.

NNTTED %TATE% PATENT @FFTCE.

JOHN E. GIFFIN, OF SAL'IILLO, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB OF GIVE-FOURTH TO LAURENCE N. GRUlVI, OF MOUNT UNION, PENNSYLVANIA.

CHALK-LINE HOLDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. GIFFIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saltillo, in the county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chalk- Line Reel and Tape-Measure Casings; and I do declare the following to be a full clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a combined chalk line reel and tape measure casing.

One object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed compact casing in which a chalk line and a tape measure may be revolubly mounted and retained in position ready for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casing of this class having an improved chalk chamber so constructed that the line may be chalked or not as desired during its withdrawal from the casing.

With these and other objects in view, the invent-ion consists of certain novel features of construction combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the ap pended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of this improved casing with the tape and cord partially drawn out; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof; and, Fig. 4c is an end view with parts broken out.

In the embodiment illustrated a casing 1 is shown constructed of any suitable material, preferably of wood and sheet metal and of any desired shape. This casing 1 is divided by a longitudinally arranged partition 2 which extends about three-fourths of the length of the casing, more or less, into two compartments 3 and 4. A plate 5 closes the lower ends of these compartments 3 and 4: and is provided with an opening 6 communicating with the chalk line compartment 3 to provide for the passage therethrough of the line. A roller 7 is preferably mounted in the compartment 3 adjacent the opening 6 over which the cord or line is adapted to pass to prevent wear thereon.

A chalk line reel 8 is revolubly mounted Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 25, 1910.

Patented July 11, 1911.

Serial No. 578,878.

in the compartment 3 and is preferably pro vided with two disk like plates 9 and 10 secured to the reel and between which the cord or line is wound. These plates are designed to prevent the line from binding against the sides of the compartment. One end of the reel spindle extends through the outer wall of the casing and is provided with a crank handle 11, which may be used for WlliCllIlg or unwinding the cord from the rec A tape measure reel 12 is revolubly mounted in the compartment 4 and one end of the shaft thereof extends through the wall of the casing opposite to that through which the chalk line reel extends and is provided with a crank handle 13 for winding and unwinding the tape 14 therefrom. The opposite ends of the casing l are provided with slots 15 and 16 arranged in alinement with the respective compartments 3 and 4: to provide for the passage therethrough of the chalk line 8 and the tape let as is shown clearly in Fig. 1. In a compartment 17 formed at one end of the casing by the plate 5 and the end wall of the casing is formed a chalk chamber 18, which is preferably made V-shaped with the apex arranged in alinement with the recess 6 formed in the plate 5 and communicating with the line compartment 8 for a purpose to be described. This chamber 18 is preferably formed by a metal or other strip 19 which is bent in V-shaped form and the ends thereof secured by any suitable means to the top of the casing with the apex thereof secured to the bottom of said casing. Two vertically disposed laterally spaced rods 20 and 21 are arranged at the outer end of the chamber 18 opposite the opening 6 to provide a gufde for the line 8 and insure its passing through the reduced end of the chamber 18. A quantity of granulated chalk is disposed in this \l-shaped chamber 18, being fed thereinto through an opening 22 in the top of the casing, which is closed by a suitable closure 28 here shown in the form of a pivotally mounted plate.

hen it is desired to chalk the line 8 as it is being withdrawn from the casing, said casing is held in the position shown in Fig. 1 with the reduced end of the V-shaped chamber downward which causes the chalk contained in said chamber to be forced against the cord or line and thoroughly chalk it during its withdrawal from the casing, the downwardly converging side walls of said chamber 18 having a tendency to crowd the chalk toward the lower end thereof.

When it is desired to draw the line from the casing in an unchalked condition the casing is turned over to bring the apex of the V-shaped chamber upward, thereby causing the chalk to fall away from the cord and permit said cord to be withdrawn without coming in contact with the chalk.

By the use of this casing the tape measure and chalk line are protected and held always ready for use and there is no waste in chalk as it is retained in the chamber at all times and danger of its becoming lost is avoided.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the ap pended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A casing having a chalk line reel mounted therein, a V-shaped chalk chamber arranged adjacent said reel, and a line opening arranged at the apex of said V-shaped chamber in a plane at right angles to the inclined side walls of said V-shaped chamber.

2. A casing provided with a plurality of compartments, a chalk line reel revolubly mounted in one of said compartments, said compartment having an exit opening at one end for the passage of the line, a V-shaped member arranged in another compartment adjacent the rear compartment with the apex of said member in alinement with said exit opening, and with the inclined side walls arranged in a plane at right angles to said opening, a line guide arranged opposite said exit opening, and means for supplying chalk to said V-shaped member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in'presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. S. MoNnIL, G. A. HEETER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

